Home heating assistance applications open

Michelle Warren, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Sep. 20—WILLIMANTIC — Access Community Action Agency is now accepting applications for home heating assistance. Residents in Windham and Tolland counties who use kerosene, oil, wood, pellets, electric, coal, natural gas heat in their homes or have heat-included homes can apply.

To qualify, applicants must have an annual household income before taxes that is below 60% of the state median income.

For example, a family of four can make up to $69,560 before taxes and be eligible for assistance. Applicants must schedule an appointment and provide documents for all household members ages 18 and over who are not in school.

Those who receive cash assistance ( Temporary Family Assistance, State Supplement, Refugee Cash) or Supplemental Security Income (SSO) need to provide a social security number for all household members, proof of cash assistance and an Eversource bill.

Those who receive SNAP need to provide social security numbers for all household members, a letter from the Connecticut Department of Social Services ( DSS) and an Eversource bill.

Those who don't receive cash assistance, or SSI need to provide the following: social security numbers for all household members; income verification for every household member who is 18 years old or older for a period of four consecutive weeks within three months prior to the customer's application date; Eversource bills (electric and gas); and lease, rent receipts, a mortgage statement or tax bill.

Those who live in subsidized housing and have their heat included in the rent must provide variable documentation of their current rent amount.

Access can be reached in Willimantic at 860-4507400 or in Danielson at 860412-1600.

Appointments are available during the agency's normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be either by phone or in-person.

Households must apply seasonally.

Previous Access customers can create an account and schedule an appointment online at accessagency. nexacomm.net.

Households heated by deliverables may use benefits starting Nov. 1 and ending May 2.

Utility-heated households (Eversource Energy., electric and gas) are eligible to participate in the matching payment programs and are protected from utility shutof from Nov. 1 through April 30.